Hawaii
Chilling in Honolulu
Honolulu is moving ahead with an ambitious plan to use deep seawater as a natural air conditioning for downtown buildings. The system should be in place for up to 40 clients by 2010.
It's Light Rail Versus BRT in Honolulu's Mayoral Race
As election day approaches in Honolulu, the Hawaiian capital's mayoral race has centered around transit. The incumbent has been pushing light rail, but now the challenger has unveiled a cheaper bus rapid transit system.
Friday Funny: Bus Driver Caught Playing Video Games on Route
An Oahu Transit bus driver was caught playing a Playstation Portable on his route. Reports fail to include which game he was playing- Grand Theft Auto, perhaps?
Honolulu Rail Moves Closer to Ballot
Officials in Honolulu recently approved a measure that will allow voters to decide whether to build a long-planned $4 billion rail system.
Honolulu Gets Higher
A new condo proposal in a Honolulu neighborhood is 70 feet over the current height limits. Developers say new heights are necessary to make projects pencil out with rising construction costs.
Honolulu Eyes Light Rail As Savior of Local Economy
With plans for a $4 billion light rail system, the city of Honolulu is hoping to boost its economy and create more jobs by contracting a number of smaller firms to do the project's work instead of one big firm.
Honolulu Light Rail Plans Expected to Receive Nearly $1 Billion
Politicians in Washington D.C. are getting behind Honolulu's plans for a $3.7 billion light rail system, calling it the "most efficient light rail project in the country".
Costs May Keep Rising for Honolulu's Rail System
The costs of Honolulu's planned commuter rail system have been estimated at nearly $4 billion, but that price tag is expected to rise further as the system develops.
The Fascism of TOD
This editorial from the Hawaii Reporter argues that plans for transit oriented development are "based in communist and fascist thinking" and that building rail and TOD will be bad for Hawaii's families.
Plans to Elevate Honolulu's Proposed Light Rail Meet Opposition
The American Institute of Architects has come out against plans to include elevated tracks as part of the layout of Honolulu's proposed light rail system.
'Superferry' Takes Off, But Controversy Persists
The 866-passenger Hawaiian Superferry has begun operations despite months of controversy over its environmental consequences. With an environmental impact statement due in 18 months and plenty of opponents, the Superferry is not yet in the clear.
Hawaiians Unite Against Development
Residents on the Hawaiian island of Kauai are rallying together to oppose the island's overdevelopment. Their main rallying point is the contentious inter-island "Superferry".
Hoteliers Announce Plan To Alter Waikiki's 'Unnatural' Beach
Plans to expand the amount of beach available in front of two hotels in Honolulu are meeting opposition from local surfers and environmentalists. But some say the beach has already been engineered beyond its natural state and more won't hurt.
Resort Project Cut Down To Size, But Objections Remain
Developers of an oceanside resort and housing complex in Hawaii have significantly reduced their project's scope in an effort to win over wary neighbors and public officials. But the project is slated for a plot where "resorts" are prohibited.
Hawaii's 'Superferry' Remains Anchored
The controversy over whether the environmental impacts of Hawaii's new "Superferry" should have been assessed continue. The large ferry boat sits idly in a harbor in Honolulu.
Friday Funny: Planning At Its Worst In Kauai?
"ViralKauai" posts a self-made video on YouTube pointing out the problems from overdevelopment of the beautiful island of Kauai.
'Superferry' Plans Stalled
Plans for an inter-island "superferry" may be stalled in Hawaii as environmental groups and the State Supreme Court have called for a more extensive environmental impact review of the harbor expansions the ferry system would require.
Honolulu Traffic Best Dealt With Incrementally
This editorial from the Honolulu Star-Tribune looks at Oahu's traffic issues and how the baby steps proposed by the Honolulu City Council may be more effective than grand-scale transit plans.
Honolulu Rail System Moves Closer To Funding
The city of Honolulu, Hawaii, has received initial approval for a $20 million federal grant for engineering studies on a planned rail system in the city.
Locals Concerned About Growth In Small Town Kauai
On the Hawaiian Island of Kauai, small towns are grappling with plans to develop more than 4,500 housing units. Of the most concern to residents is the increased traffic and strain on roads, so they have proposed a circulation plan.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
